The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a preservation order freezing a residential property in Hesteapark, Pretoria, linked to the late actor Presley Chweneyagae, his wife and several co-respondents.
The move forms part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption involving the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
The order, granted by the Special Tribunal, is intended to protect public funds believed to have been unlawfully diverted from an NLC grant that was meant to support youth arts development.
It prohibits the sale, transfer, leasing or disposal of the property while civil proceedings are being prepared.
The SIU alleges that approximately R889,000 used to purchase the house was siphoned from a R15 million NLC grant allocated to the Southern African Youth Movement NPO.
The grant was intended to uplift young artists, but investigators claim the funds were misused.
According to the SIU, the grant was approved for the Southern African Youth Movement, represented by Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla.
The money was allegedly channelled through Domestic Baboon, a company wholly owned by Chweneyagae, before being used to acquire the private residence.
The preservation order, issued by Judge M Victor on December 18, applies to Charlaine Christinah Chweneyagae in both her personal capacity and as executrix of her late husband’s estate, as well as Sigudla, the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, Domestic Baboon and other respondents.
Chweneyagae passed away on May 27 at the age of 40 after experiencing breathing difficulties.
The SIU says the preservation order forms part of its mandate to prevent the dissipation of assets suspected to be linked to unlawful activities while legal processes are under way. The unit has 60 court days to institute civil action to recover the funds.
The investigation falls under Proclamation R32 of 2020, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which authorises the SIU to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration at the NLC and to recover financial losses suffered by the state.
In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, the SIU may institute civil proceedings in the High Court or the Special Tribunal to recover misappropriated funds and overturn unlawful transactions.
Any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during the investigation will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible prosecution.
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